Language in the workplace plays a crucial role in facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and overall productivity.
It is essential for employees to have a common language (typically English in Canada) to ensure clarity, understanding, and efficient operation of the business. Having a common language like English in the workplace also promotes equal opportunities for all employees. Today, we’re going to address the importance of encouraging staff to speak English in the Canadian workplace.
Promoting English language use in the workplace fosters inclusivity, teamwork, and positive relationships among employees. Organizations who do this create a thriving work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By investing in language support and promoting a common language in the workplace, employers can empower English as a Second Language (ESL) employees to enhance their skills, build confidence, and advance their careers. This ultimately benefits the entire organization.
The importance of speaking English at work
There are countless benefits to having a diverse workforce and employees who speak different languages.
What causes challenges at work (for English and non-English speakers) are when people feel excluded or left out due to language. In Canada, where collaboration and communication are valued, speaking a common language like English is important for encouraging teamwork and discouraging an atmosphere of inferiority.
We connect through a common language, if different people are speaking different languages at work, people aren’t able to connect. Not being able to connect at work can cause issues such as:
- Not being promoted
- Lack of networking opportunities
- Missing out on opportunities to make friends/be invited to things outside of work
- Cause frustration/tension between employees
And finally, not speaking English as much as possible during work hours will stall a staff members English skills. If they aren’t challenging themselves with English they won’t improve. The more exposure employees have to English, the faster they can progress and learn new skills. This is especially important for career advancement, as higher positions often require strong English proficiency.
should you ask employees to speak Only English at work?
Personally, I feel it should be encouraged during work hours. However, realistically it’s not something that should be enforced as there are many layers to it.
- It depends on the staff that you have hired.
- Do they have the language skills to speak English all day? If not, the it wouldn’t be fair to expect them to.
- Are they only speaking their first language at lunch when with others who speak the same language?
- If so, it could simply be because they are tired. It can be exhausting constantly thinking of the “right word”, sometimes you just need a break.
- However, staff also need to realize that if they want to connect more with English speakers, make more “English friends”, then they need to speak English during lunch, otherwise nobody else will feel that they can join the conversation.
- If they are speaking their first language during work hours what is the situation?
- Are they translating for someone who has extremely low English skills?
- Are they having full on conversations in a different language in meetings with only English speakers around?
- Are they working in an area where there are only people who speak one language (let’s be real, sometimes it’s just easier and more efficient to speak the language we are most comfortable with)
What it comes down to is this…
You don’t want there to be frustration/unhappiness between English speaking employees and ESL employees. So workplaces need to build community. That way everyone will try to be more conscious of ensuring understanding for everyone regardless of their English levels.
How can companies help employees who don’t have a high level of english?
Realistically, many workplaces hire employees for entry-level positions where language proficiency and communication skills may not be a condition of employment. This situation often results in a group of employees who speak a common language with one designated interpreter. While this setup may work initially, it’s essential to consider long-term complications and solutions.
For instance, relying on a single interpreter can create dependency and communication bottlenecks. If conflicts arise between employees who speak English and those who don’t, the inability to communicate may exacerbate the situation. If the sole interpreter leaves the job site, communication barriers could arise. This could impact safety protocols, hinder productivity, and lead to frustration among employees. In cases like this, relying solely on tools like Google Translate may not suffice, highlighting the importance of sustainable language solutions in the workplace and finding an alternative practice.
Another tricky example is shift work. These employees often work long and varied hours and may find it difficult to attend language classes to improve their skills. Without adequate support in the workplace, they may struggle to improve their language proficiency.
To address these challenges effectively, workplaces must prioritize supporting employees in improving their language skills. This could involve providing language classes and online resources or scheduling flexibility to accommodate learning opportunities. By empowering employees to enhance their language proficiency, workplaces can foster better communication.
Managing and supporting ESL speakers require a thoughtful and supportive approach to ensure effective communication and job performance. Here are some more ideas to consider:
- Communication support: Provide additional language training or resources to help the employee improve their English skills. This could include language classes, online courses, or language learning apps.
- Clear expectations: Clearly communicate job duties, expectations, and workplace policies in a way that the employee can understand. Use simple language and provide written instructions when necessary.
- Visual aids: Use visual aids such as diagrams, charts, or images to supplement verbal communication and help the employee better understand tasks or instructions.
- Mentorship: Pair the employee with a mentor or colleague who is proficient in both English and the employee’s native language. This can provide additional support, guidance, and encouragement in navigating language barriers.
- Provide training for English speaking staff: It’s important for English speakers to realize that not everyone is going to understand everything they say. Ensure that they have training as well so that they can be more conscious and helpful when working with ESL staff.
- Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with the employee to provide feedback, address any concerns, and offer ongoing support in improving their language skills.
- Encourage questions: Create an open and supportive environment where the employee feels comfortable asking questions or seeking clarification when they don’t understand something.
- Patience and understanding: Be patient and understanding of the challenges the employee may face due to language barriers. Offer encouragement and positive reinforcement as they work to improve their English skills.
Effective language use is crucial for workplace communication, inclusivity, and the success of both the employee and employer. By prioritizing language skill development and fostering a supportive environment, employers can create a more cohesive and productive atmosphere for everyone.
My consulting services help coach businesses and organizations to better support ESL staff. Contact me today to get started!
